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Apple’s WWDC 2012: What’s New for You?

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Apple’s Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC) is this week, the annual event designed to give developers and the rest of the world a sneak peek at what’s down the pike for Apple products. This year Apple announced improvements to its operating systems, iOS and OS X, as well as to its MacBook computers.

iOS 6

Your iPhone, iPad and iPod Touch will be enhanced this Fall with the launch of iOS 6, packed with over 200 improvements to the mobile operating system.

Siri

Apple’s popular personal assistant will not only be smarter come the Fall, she will also be available to more people. Siri is coming to the new iPad with iOS 6 and will arrive with additional features, more languages and be available in more countries.

Siri will not only be able to find restaurants for you, Siri will be able to help you make reservations using OpenTable. You’ll be able to open apps with Siri and post directly to Facebook and Twitter using voice commands.

Siri will added capabilities for sports fans, including checking on team rosters, game schedules, player stats, team standings and sports trivia. Siri will be able to speak the answers in addition to providing graphics.

Siri will also be able to check movie times, play trailers, get movie information about cast and crew, and get movie reviews using the Rotten Tomatoes app.

Apple is also working with car manufacturers on a feature called Eyes Free that will activate Siri using a voice command button on your steering wheel. You will be able to interact with Siri using your voice, the screen of your device won’t light up. Eyes Free is slated to be launched before the end of the year on vehicles from GM, BMW, Toyota, Mercedes, Honda and Audi.

Maps

The stalwart maps app, Google Maps, will no longer be the default map app in iOS 6, Apple has developed its own map app. Apple’s map app will function as a GPS app, giving voice turn-by-turn directions, which the Google Maps app does on Android devices, but not on iOS devices. The Apple map app can appear on the lock screen so you won’t have to worry about your phone going to sleep as you’re trying to navigate.

The app can alert you to traffic incidents such as accidents and construction and recommend the fastest route for you to avoid delays. The maps will turn as you navigate so you can get your bearings as the map perspective changes.

You’ll be able to turn on 3D mapping in Settings and see the maps in Flyover mode, giving you an aerial view of the world.

iOS 6 Maps Flyover

Do Not Disturb

Perhaps in response to the iPhone/New York Philharmonic incident in January, Apple will be adding a Do Not Disturb feature to iOS 6. By activating Do Not Disturb, you will block notifications for calls, texts or other messages. No word yet on whether it silences alarms.

You will be able to assign contacts VIP status and allow only calls and text messages from VIP’s to come through, in case you’re expecting a phone call from a Very Important Person. You will also be able to set calls to come through if someone calls you from the same number two or three times in a row (often signaling an emergency).

You will be able to set Do Not Disturb ahead of time, so you won’t forget to turn it on or off. You will also be able to set it for regular intervals, such as turning it on each night at bedtime and off in the morning.

Reminders

Your phone will be able to send you a reminder to call a person back later, either based on time or your location. For example, you can set a reminder to call a person back in an hour or when you get home or to your office.

You will also be able to send callers a text message telling them that you’re unavailable. It’s not quite DriveSmart, but it’s a step in the right direction.

iOS 6 Text

Facebook

Apps will be integrated with Facebook, as they are with Twitter now. Sign in once in Settings and then connect using apps. Events will be included in your calendar and your Facebook friends can be added to your contacts. You can post photos and videos directly from Camera Roll, without using the Facebook app. You can also ask Siri to post on Facebook for you.

Guided Access

As the iPad makes more inroads into classrooms, the issue of access becomes more apparent. Educators are concerned that students will be playing games or cheating on tests by accessing the Internet. Guided Access restricts the use of a device to a single app so that a user won’t be able to exit the app. Guided Access has other controls that will be useful for those with special needs or younger children who use iPads.

Passbook

In what may be a prelude to your iPhone becoming your wallet, Apple is introducing Passbook. Passbook is an app that will keep your loyalty cards, movie tickets, plane tickets and coupons. Like the Key Ring app, you can scan your loyalty cards into your iPhone and lighten your wallet. You won’t have to worry about leaving your plane ticket behind, you will be able to use Passbook as your ticket. Your iPhone will be able to notify you if the gate has changed and you’re waiting in the wrong place for boarding.

Other Features

With iOS 6 you will be able to:

  • Use FaceTime over cellular networks, not just Wi-Fi
  • Share photos with others using photo stream
  • Get the iPhone clock app on your iPad
  • Email photos and video from your email app (not just from Camera Roll)
  • Read articles from your Reading List when you’re offline
  • Update apps without entering your password or leaving the iTunes Store
  • Get notifications when a VIP emails you
  • Smart App banners will appear in Safari when you’re visiting a mobile website that has an app available, giving you easy access to the app in the App Store
  • Create a VIP folder where emails from your VIP’s will appear
  • iMessage on your iPad will be able to use your phone number from your iPhone

Hardware

No new iPhone was announced (expect that in the Fall), but Apple did introduce the newest models of the MacBook Air and the MacBook Pro. The MacBook Air has a faster processor, more storage, and more RAM (for faster speeds). The Air is on sale now with prices starting at $999 for the 11″ screen and $1199 for the 13″ screen.

The MacBook Pro now comes with Retina display on the 15″ screen, a faster processor, longer battery life and more storage. The MacBook Pro with Retina display is on sale now and starts at $2,199.

OS X Mountain Lion

The Mac operating system is being updated as well to the Mountain Lion version, with over 200 new features, making your Mac seem like a close relation to your iPad. Notifications, iMessage, and Notes will be available on your Mac and will sync with your mobile devices. Your Mac won’t have Siri, but you will be able to dictate text.

Support for iCloud is built into Mountain Lion so you can sync your  mail, contacts, calendar, Messages, Notes and Reminders between your Mac and your iOS devices. iCloud also has a new feature called Documents in the Cloud which will sync documents in Pages, Keynotes, Preview and TextEdit between your devices.

Power Nap, a new feature in Mountain Lion, lets your Mac fetch data, update software and backup your data when it’s in sleep mode.

In a nod to Chrome, your bookmarks will sync between devices and the search window has been eliminated in Safari . You will be able to enter search terms into your address bar.

Mountain Lion will be available next month for $19.99.

Your Thoughts?

What do you think about Apple’s WWDC announcements? Which new features excite you? Were you hoping that a new iPhone would be announced? Are you considering getting a new MacBook? Let us know in the Comments section below!

 

 

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Comments

  1. KathyF says

    I was very disappointed to see there’s no new iMac, my go-to computing device. We’re ready to upgrade, and I was counting on a new version to be sitting on my desk this summer! I really hope Apple is not abandoning desktop computers–do you have any insight on this?

  2. Gary Braley says

    Hi Carolyn, Thanks for a great overview.
    I’m particularly thrilled about the fact that the Mac will be integrated into iCloud for Pages, Keynote and Numbers. It’s been a real hassle to work without that connection.
    The new Maps and Facebook integration along with an improved Siri are going to be tough on Google.
    And as always the new notebooks are getting rave reviews.
    Gary

    • Carolyn Nicander Mohr says

      Hi Gary, You’re right, those are great enhancements coming soon. I think both Macs and iOS devices are going to be much more convenient to use.

      Believe it or not, I am very excited about getting the clock app on the iPad. The native functionality of the clock app is very useful and I welcome having it on the iPad.

      I have heard from quite a few readers who were holding off on getting new Macs until these updated models came out. If they are any indication, these are going to be very popular computers!

      Thanks for coming by and sharing your thoughts with us, Gary. 🙂

    • Jens P. Berget says

      That’s great news. I’ve been struggling with my pages/keynote/numbers files on both the Mac and on ios. That’s one of the best new features for me.

  3. Mike Maynard says

    My friend has a smart phone, it’s smarter than he is! It’s not often I’m away from my computer (I’m typing this in bed) but I think a smart phone would be handy when I get lost in a nature reserve. I did my transport blog, still need a picture of a bus though. 🙂

    • Carolyn Nicander Mohr says

      Hi Mike, you’re right, a smartphone is very handy when you’re lost. It’s like having a sat nav with you wherever you go.

      I will be by your transport article. I’m very busy getting my girls ready to go to China tomorrow but after that I will have moments to spare. 🙂

  4. Praveen Rajarao says

    Carolyn – You wouldnt believe this, but I wrote an exactly similar article for TechBulletin just 20minutes prior to the WWDC start at 1pm. Of course I like yours better 🙂

    This is the 2nd time this is happening, last week I had a post for “how to increase traffic to your blog” and Adrienne published a similar one.

    Great minds think alike…huh??

  5. Anton Koekemoer says

    Yes – WWDC is an event all apple product enthusiasts look forward to. Personally – I mostly look forward to the new ios. The improvements on their operating system are worth taking notes on. Cant wait for the official launch – hopefully worldwide the same date.

    • Carolyn Nicander Mohr says

      Hi Anton, You’re right, WWDC is eagerly anticipated by Apple fans. I liked it better when it was the annual event that introduced the new iOS and the new iPhone. In a way it seems a bit silly to announce the new iOS features so far ahead of time. There really isn’t a need to give us so much advance notice of the new iOS now that it will be launched in the Fall, presumably with a new iPhone. I’m wondering if they keep the iOS news announcement in June so that more attention will be brought to the Mac Book and OS X announcements.

      I am excited about iOS 6 as well, I’m just a little frustrated that the wait is so long! I also hope there is a worldwide launch in the Fall.

  6. Adrienne says

    Wow Carolyn… I think because I don’t have a lot of this technology that I can’t even imagine what they will come up with next but after reading this I can see where they will continue to improve things as time goes by.

    I know I only have my iPod Touch right now and no other Apple products but I think it’s so cool how technology has evolved. You know, like some of those futuristic movies we’ve seen where they give you a wave into the future and we all sit there thinking how cool that will be. Well, it’s on its way that’s for sure.

    Great update on what’s coming Carolyn and we can always count on you to bring us the latest and greatest news in the tech industry!

    Thanks for sharing.

    ~Adrienne

    • Carolyn Nicander Mohr says

      Hi Adrienne, You’re right, this does seem like the future. It’s so funny because after an improved feature is announced, I want it immediately and don’t want to wait for it. What seemed great last week now seems out of date. Isn’t that funny?

      Many of these improvements will be good for your iPod Touch too, Adrienne. It just keeps getting better! :-bd

  7. Adam Snyder says

    The two things that I can’t wait for are the reminders and the Map. I have read a little bit about their new Map system and I think I will be a big fan of it.

    Adam

    • Carolyn Nicander Mohr says

      Hi Adam, I am very curious about Apple’s map app. I understand why they want to have their own map app, but the Google Maps app is so well done. Apple’s map app needs to be much better than Google’s so that people aren’t upset about the native map app being replaced. But Apple tends to do things right so it should be a great app!

      We will find out in the Fall! 🙂

  8. Bill Dorman says

    Sounds like some pretty cool stuff. I was impressed I did a Google chat call from my phone yesterday; all this other stuff is pretty cool.

    • Carolyn Nicander Mohr says

      Hi Bill, Wow, that’s fantastic! A year ago, Google + hadn’t been launched yet and you didn’t have an iPhone. How quickly times change! Congratulations on embracing cutting edge technology. Who knows what you’ll be doing a year from now? (*)

    • Carolyn Nicander Mohr says

      Hi Amberr, Yes, Apple is taking on a lot of tasks at once, updating Siri and launching the map app, in addition to the 198 other changes. The maps app is the most important one to get right. A glitch in the map app could be a serious problem!

      Google Maps isn’t perfect. They don’t recognize that my house is in my town and they send people to the wrong address. Maybe Apple will get it right! 😕

  10. CarolB says

    Ohhh – some nice upgrades! Especially Siri! Siri hates me right now, so I am hoping she likes me on the next round! Maybe she’ll forgive the mean names I’ve said to her lol! The Google Maps upgrade looks awesome. I am a big maps app user so really like that one. The Facebook and Reminders also sound great – I use use my phone for both these frequently.

    My boys want the MacBook Pro – not sure I want to spend the price for it! Actually, I can pretty much bet I won’t spend for it.

  11. Janet Callaway says

    Carolyn, aloha. Even though they did not officially announce the new iPhone, I figure all these great features will be in my new iPhone 5 when I finally join the iLife community. When I purchase my new phone, I will also purchase iPhone 45 for Dummies and go through it page by page.

    Actually, to even think of over 200 improvements boggles the mind.

    What I would be interested in knowing, Carolyn, is what percentage of the people even use 20% of the capabilities of the iPhone.

    And, how significantly different is it from generation to generation.

    Hope you and your daughters enjoy a Spectacular Sunday spoiling your husband/their father. Until the next time, aloha. Janet